Join the Conversation

NWL: Paul glad to be back with Rox

arennecke@stcloudtimes.com
7:12 p.m. CDT June 1, 2014

NWL: Paul back with Rox, who fall twice to Willmar on Sunday afternoon

Chris Paul didn't have it easy on Friday night.

The California infielder arrived off a plane from Arizona to Minneapolis late Friday afternoon. He didn't arrive at Joe Faber Field for the St. Cloud Rox's home opener against Willmar until after 5 p.m.

Rox manager Augie Rodriguez didn't start last year's team MVP on Friday, but he did throw him out there with a late pinch-hitting appearance. Paul struck out swinging, but he was glad to be back in St. Cloud nonetheless.

"I got anxious and was trying to win the game there with a couple of big hacks. I didn't work out in my favor," Paul said with a laugh. "I have plenty of more at-bats this season to make up for it. It's just good to be back here and playing again. It's my third summer here and it's always been a blast."

The Rox (4-2) lost their first two Northwoods League games of the season as Willmar beat them 5-1 and 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at Faber. The first game resumed in the sixth inning after Saturday's game had to be halted after five innings due to the heavy rain that hit the area.

Paul started his first game of the season at second base in the first game and went 1-for-4. He went 1-for-4 in the second game with an RBI.

The Aliso Viejo, Calif., native is looking to rediscover his swing after a tough spring with the Golden Bears. He hit .264 in 91 at-bats with two RBI. Paul had 24 hits, but only six of them went for extra bases.

"I haven't played in a while so I'm trying to get my timing back," Paul said. "I need to get my comfort level up and stay confident at the plate. I want to have more productive at-bats and drive in some runs again."

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Paul hit .299 last year for the Rox with four home runs and 37 RBI. In 2012, he hit .271 with six triples and 20 doubles. He's hoping to have a similar summer with St. Cloud again.

"Last summer I was staying loose and just having fun playing the game. That's easy to to do when you're playing for (Rox manager) Augie (Rodriguez). I like working with him and getting better every day. He gave me a big hug when I came in on Friday. It was great to see him."

Paul wants to get to the Northwoods League playoffs for the first time, if he hangs around that long. He could be taken in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft, which starts on Thursday.

"I'm not worried about that," Paul said. "I'll talk to my adviser and see what happens. I'm just worried about helping this team out. I think we can go pretty far this summer. We need to keep playing like we have been. I just want to keep winning and get a championship for these fans."

Bradley Strong went 2-for-3 in the first game for St. Cloud. Dalton Sawyer was charged with the loss after giving up four runs on three hits over 2/3 of an inning of relief.

Liam Bedford went 1-for-4 with an RBI for the Rox in the second game. Kenny Anderson took the loss in six innings of work. He gave up three earned runs on eight hits.